TCAT Welcomes New and Returning IC Students
PLEASE PARDON OUR DUST FOR FALL 2023!
TCAT is implementing a new fare collection system that will go live on Tues., Aug. 15, but due to backend programming delays, there is no capability yet for IC students to upload passes right onto their IDs and take advantage of generous subsidies that IC has been providing since 2010.
But good news! To ease the impact to the Ithaca College community and encourage ridership on Ithaca’s community transportation system, students can ride for free during the Fall semester (8/17/23 – 12/15/23), just like employees are always able to do so. Realizing the significant disruption and work-around required to accommodate the delay of the new fare collection system, Ithaca College has arranged to subsidize all student TCAT fees for the Fall semester.
To ride the TCAT system: All you need to do is show your ID to the driver when you board the bus. It doesn’t get much easier than that! If you forget your ID, you will need to pay the cash fare of $1.50 per ride.
What happens for the Spring Semester? – During the Fall semester, an online portal will be opened to allow students to purchase bus passes. The portal will allow you to receive discounted bus fare once the free Fall semester program ends on 12/15/23. Stay tuned for more information on how to purchase your bus passes!
Fall Service Schedule – Our ride guides geared specifically for IC will be available on the TCAT website by Aug. 18. Just so you know, TCAT’s routes 11 and 65 directly serves campus, but your ID can get you on any TCAT buses wherever and whenever they are operating. Also note that if you need more than one bus to get to your destination, please ask the driver for a transfer slip. Riders are allowed up to two transfer slips to complete a continuous one-way trip. For a return trip to where you originally boarded, simply show your ID once again to the driver.
Summer service ends the night of Sat., Aug. 19, at which time this page will be updated with fall schedules.
While there is always the chance that there will be additional system and supply chain delays, we appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through these improvements to our transportation system and hope you take the opportunity to use our bus system over the next few months when your fare is FREE.
If you have any questions or need help with planning your trip, please contact TCAT at (607) 277-7433 or email TCAT at tcat@tcatmail.com. TCAT also encourages you to download Google Transit trip-planning or real-time information apps. For more information, see TCAT’s app page.